What Are We Doing?
What Can You Do?
Protecting Our Watershed
Be a Watershed Steward!
Otonabee Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency that works closely with municipal, provincial and federal government partners, landowners and community groups to conserve, restore and manage the natural resources of the Otonabee Region Watershed.
By working together, we can make a difference. Imagine the impact if the 107,000+ watershed residents made wise environmental choices! Improving the health of the watershed requires us to make choices that balance environmental concerns with everyday life. Here are some examples of stewardship activities you can undertake to enhance your property and protect human and environmental health.
Environmental Planning and Regulations
Land use planning input and administration of Ontario Regulation 167/06 (Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses) ensures development does not negatively impact wetlands, shorelines or waterways. Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Data collected through a variety of monitoring activities including surface water and groundwater sampling, and bird, amphibian and vegetation surveys is used to evaluate and report on existing watershed conditions, identify changes and target conservation activities. Flood Forecasting, Warning and Low Water Response Data including weather information, water levels and flows, snow pack and ice conditions is used to help protect life and property from natural hazards such as high and low water conditions by issuing flood and low water warning messages to municipal Community Emergency Management Coordinators and the broader public via the media. Education, Outreach and Stewardship Classroom sessions & public workshops provide environmental education opportunities. Otonabee Conservation also provides technical advice and financial assistance to landowners to implement stewardship projects that enhance and protect the watershed. Conservation Lands Through the ownership of 4,134 hectares of land that includes wetlands, forests and wildlife areas, Otonabee Conservation protects important natural ecosystems and provides opportunities for public access to natural areas.
Where Are We? Otonabee Region
WATERSHED
Report Card 2013
At Home ... • • • •
Regularly inspect and maintain your septic system. Use phosphate-free products (ie. detergents, fertilizers). Conserve water by installing low flow taps, showerheads and toilets. Create a natural vegetated buffer along shorelines to filter runoff and provide habitat.
What is a Watershed?
At Work ... • Use paper with recycled content or that is produced using sustainable forest management practices. • Encourage recycling and composting at your workplace. • Use environmentally friendly products such as sand to prevent slipping on icy surfaces.
Located in the Kawartha Lakes Region, Otonabee Conservation is one of 36 Conservation Authorities across Ontario under the umbrella organization of Conservation Ontario.
On the Water ...
A watershed is an area of land drained by a connected system of wetlands, streams, rivers and lakes. Watersheds vary in size and shape and all watercourses in a watershed flow into a common waterbody. A variety of land uses are found in the Otonabee Region Watershed including urban, rural, industrial, agricultural and recreational.
• Wash your boat before moving to another lake and don’t release live bait. • Avoid fuel spillage and obey speed limits in low wake and erosion sensitive areas.
What Does This Report Card Measure?
At Play ... • Participate in a local tree planting, shoreline naturalization or community clean-up event. • Get outside and visit a Conservation Area, public park or your favourite hiking trail. • Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
On the Land ...
Surface Water Quality
• Plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to enhance wildlife habitat and species diversity. • Prevent the contamination of groundwater by decommissioning unused wells • On the farm, follow best management practices & restrict livestock access to watercourses.
Forest Conditions
Wetlands
Groundwater
Why Measure? Our health and well-being are affected by the quality of our natural environment. Measuring increases our understanding of watershed health and helps target programs and activities to where they are needed most. It is also a tool used to track progress, identify changing conditions and target areas that require protection or enhancement.
Planning a project on your property? Call or visit our website to find out if a permit is required, if financial assistance is available, or to discuss ways to enhance your property.
Otonabee Conservation 250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9H 7M9 P: 705-745-5791 F: 705-745-7488 E: otonabeeca@otonabee.com www.otonabee.com
Grading
The Otonabee Region Conservation Authority has prepared this report card to summarize the condition of our forests, wetlands, surface water, and groundwater resources using data from 2007 to 2011.
A B C D F
Excellent Good Fair Poor Very Poor
The standards used in this report card were developed by Conservation Authorities to ensure consistent reporting across Ontario and are intended to provide information to protect, enhance and improve our natural resources (Conservation Ontario Guidelines, 2011). Data from 2007 to 2011 was used to assess watershed conditions presented in this report card.